FELIPE Massa cut a frustrated figure after the first two practice sessions of the Formula 1 season proved a mixed bag for Grove-based Williams in Australia.

The Brazilian posted the seventh-fastest time in the early run at Albert Park.

But an electrical problem restricted the 35-year-old to six laps in the afternoon session, which saw him down in 14th.

Massa hopes the issue will be fixed ahead of the first race of the campaign on Sunday.

He said: “It was not really the great day we were expecting.

“It’s a shame that we did thousands of kilometres in Barcelona (in testing) and then had this issue here, but I don’t think it’s a serious thing, which is positive.”

Rookie teammate Lance Stroll was in higher spirits, posting the 13th and 16th fastest times on his first visit to Melbourne.

The 18-year-old said: “For me it was a good day.

“It feels good to just finally break the ice and do some driving.”

Enstone-based Renault’s drivers endured differing fortunes.

While Nico Hulkenberg was ninth in both sessions, Jolyon Palmer’s time on the track was limited to just ten laps across the whole day.

A part needed replacing on his car in the first, in which he was 19th, while an accident in the second saw him finish bottom of the timesheet.

Palmer said: “I’m hopeful of getting more track time, but we’ll be on the back foot heading into qualifying.”

Romain Grosjean was eighth in both sessions for Banbury-based Haas, while Kevin Magnussen was 17th and 19th.